As Long As My Heart Beats novel Chapter 8

“THIS is the best Christmas of my life.” Bulong ni Katerina kay Brett matapos nitong ayusin ang nakaibabaw na jacket sa balikat niya. They decided to spend Christmas in the home for the aged that he was helping. Ang akala niya ay mga bata lang sa foundation ang sinusuportahan nito. Iyon pala ay pati din ang mga matatanda.

Brett played the guitar while Katerina sang for the elders. They make a great team. It was among the many things she discovered about him. He could play the guitar so well. Ayon rito, tinuruan lang ito ng isa sa mga matatandang lalaki doon kung paano tumugtog. Nakisabay din sila sa pagkain ng mga naroon at nakipaglaro sa mga ito. Brett was the one who prepared for the food and for all the gifts.

It made Katerina feel embarrass at first. Dahil maliban sa sarili niya, wala na siyang ibang dala papunta sa nursing home dahil wala siyang idea na doon siya dadalhin ng binata. But everyone there was so easy to get along with that she later on forgot about her anxiety. And now, the elders were resting since it was past nine in the evening. The elders looked tired but they were happy.

Today was the second time that she saw Brett danced. Noong una ay sa Christmas party. At ngayong araw kasama ng mga matatanda. For a man who once claimed that he didn’t believe in the good things, for a man who was once tagged as the ‘ogre’, these things were unexpected. Every day, she discovers something new about Brett which makes her fall deeper in love with him.

Kasalukuyan silang nasa terrace ng dalawang palapag na nursing home at nagpapahangin. Katatapos lang nilang maghapunan kasama ng mga staff doon. They decided to rest for a while before they leave.

“Thank you for taking me here, Brett. I had so much fun.”

Inakbayan siya ng binata. “I’m glad that you liked it here. This is our first Christmas together so I wanted this to become more special for the two of us. But I didn’t know where to bring you. I’ve researched for so many places but I gave up when I thought about your job and how you’ve seen some of the most beautiful parts of the world already. That’s why I took a risk and brought you here instead. Gusto kong makilala mo ang mga nandito dahil malapit silang lahat sa puso ko. This is where I spend holidays.”

That was another secret he unfolded. Sumandal si Katerina sa balikat ni Brett habang tahimik na nakikinig.

“Whenever I’m stressed out, I would find myself going back to this place. I only saw about this place when I was browsing the net five years ago. Sinubukan kong pumunta minsan hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan na dumalas na nang dumalas. Maybe because you were right. I was lonely. I was searching for someone to be with, to sit with, to eat and talk with. And the elders here became my companion. They knew exactly what I feel even when we don’t talk about it. Sometimes, after playing chess or after the jamming session, we would just sit together in a comfortable silence and think about what’s going on with our lives.”

Katerina smiled appreciatively. “Thank you for sharing these things with me.”

“I’m feeling so blessed these days. Do you mind if I share some more things with you?”

“I would be more than happy if you do so.”

“I used to be a very proud man, Katerina. It was only when you came into my life did I learn how to acknowledge how lonely I’ve been all these years. You know my story. You know how I’ve lost faith in love that’s why I didn’t think that I would fall in love one day and actually be with someone. I didn’t think that there would be a day when I’d try and risk. Pero mula noon hanggang ngayon, naiiba ka. Ikaw lang ang nag-iisang babae na nagturo sa akin kung paano sumubok kaya susubok ako ngayon.”

Sa pagkagulat ni Katerina, biglang lumuhod sa harap niya si Brett. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang maglabas ito ng kahita mula sa bulsa nito. She was greeted with the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

“You made me acknowledge what loneliness meant. And it’s being without you. It’s waking up every morning without you by my side, eating breakfast without you, and going back to bed without you. And I want to change that. I want us to do things together. I can’t promise to always make you happy but I promise that I will always be by your side. Katerina, I love you. I love you so much. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

Tumulo ang mga luha ni Katerina. “Of course, Brett. For you, I’d take a risk, too. Because I love you, too!”

Nasopresa siya nang makarinig ng mga palakpakan sa paligid. Noon niya lang namalayan na naroon din pala sa terrace hindi lang ang mga staff ng nursing home kundi pati na ang mga matatanda na ang akala niya ay nagpapahinga na.